Using data for equitable climate action
The Community of Practice (CP) supports community-based leaders and city staff using the GEM platform who are committed to learning more about how data and mapping can advance climate equity and environmental justice goals.
Monthly workshops, network building, and resource sharing help users learn from each other and build productive relationships between communities most negatively impacted by climate change and city governments.
Through peer consultancy, leadership, and participation, Community of Practice members develop skills and troubleshoot challenges creating solutions for racially equitable climate action.
GEM Process Guide: For Cities and Communities Developing Shared Analysis of Equity Maps
Collaboration between local government and communities impacted by inequities are key to transformative climate and equity outcomes. Cities that invest in community partnerships and participatory planning have a greater capacity for practical climate solutions than cities where partnerships do not exist. To prepare for and address the impacts of the climate crisis, city staff and leaders from frontline communities must build strong working relationships.
Upright Consulting Services convened a national team of practitioners to develop the GEM Process Guide which should be used together with the equity maps. The national team of practitioners came from an extensive background in city government, community organizing, participatory action research, energy efficiency policy, and facilitation.
Rosa Gonzalez (Facilitating Power) led the creation of the Process Guide for cities to work with communities by developing a shared analysis of equity maps. Download the guide to learn more about how it supports city staff in collaborating with community organizers to implement inclusive processes and programs based on the equity data produced by GEM.
Did you catch the latest CP event?
Upcoming Events
Implementing Data-Informed & Community-Centered Weatherization Programs
Daniel Wagner
May 18, 2023 at 5:00:00 PM
Join us on May 18th 1pm EST/10am PST for a dive into a case study of an equitable weatherization program in Ohio. The robust program was carried out by Westown Community Development Corporation using GEM as its main tool for implementing energy efficiency alternatives to the residents most in need. Join us to learn how you can use GEM to help effectively raise the concerns of frontline, fenceline, low-income, and environmental justice communities to ensure fair distribution of resources.
Join the Community of Practice
By signing up for the Community of Practice, you will receive invitations to monthly calls and 2-3 emails a month providing resources and offerings for GEM users!
Community of Practice
Meeting Archives
Using the Greenlink Equity Map: Office Hours Q&A Workshop
April 27, 2023
Daniel Wagner, GEM Project Manager, Greenlink Analytics
Sharanya Madhaven, Data Scientist, Greenlink Analytics
Community of Practice members joined GEM Project Manager, Daniel Wagner, and GEM Data Scientist Sharanya Madhaven, for a special “office hours” session where they brought their GEM questions. This special session allowed members to get one-on-one help so they can get the most out of their GEM experience and use the tool to its full potential.
How Community Engagement & Data Can Help Drive Legislation
March 23, 2023
Robert Reed, Advisor, Southface Institute
Stephanie Varughese, Junior Analyst, Greenlink Analytics
Kenneth Sercy, Energy Analytics, Greenlink Analytics
Join the #Southface Institute's Robert Reed along with #Greenlink's Stephanie Varughese & Kenneth Sercy as they present an interactive workshop on how to engage local communities and use data to drive legislative change.
Urban Tree Canopy Index
November 17, 2022
Daniel Wager, GEM Project Manager
Greenlink Analytics launches the new "Urban Tree Canopy” dataset, providing nationwide visibility into the concentration of trees across city neighborhoods. The data is part of the Greenlink Equity Map, which measures more than 40 other environmental and social disparities. The sophisticated interface not only helps reveal tree cover, but also the relationship between tree cover and other inequities, such as urban heat islands.
Interactive Workshop on Redlining & Equity
February 16, 2023
Minna Toloui, Upright Consulting
Sharanya Madhavan, Greenlink Analytics
Greenlink Analytics' Sharanya Madhavan and Upright Consulting’s Minna Toloui share important background on redlining and lead an interactive workshop using the Greenlink Equity Map (GEM) to visualize how past injustices continue to impact our neighborhoods today. Attendees had the opportunity to work with the new redlining indicator before it launched.
How the Inflation Reduction Act Can Improve Equity in our Communities
October 27, 2022
Kenneth Sercy & Samantha McDonald
There has been lots of talk recently about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), but what does it mean for energy and equity work on the ground? Energy experts Kenneth Sercy and Samantha McDonald share their insights on what the IRA means for cities, community-based organizations, and the environment., and funding opportunities coming available.
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